On June 14-16, VMBA, New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA), and Kingdom Trails (KT) co-hosted the Elevate Mountain Bike Festival, a fun-filled weekend of clinics, group rides, socials, and more for women and gender-expansive cyclists in the beautiful East Burke, VT. The weekend aimed to cultivate community, develop skills, and foster our love for mountain biking—and it did just that.
With 110 participants from across New England and Canada, 28 incredible volunteers, 4 panelists, and partners like VT Adaptive Ski and Sports, Kelly Brush Foundation, and Lawson’s Finest Liquids, we were blown away by the enthusiasm and support shown over the weekend.
The festival featured 4 blocks of sessions that included group rides for all skill levels, drop and cornering clinics, and discussions on strengthening our bodies and overcoming mental barriers. There was a variety of options for participants to learn, have fun, and celebrate each other.
Friday evening was filled with smiles and laughter during a social happy hour at Hazel’s Tap Room with a taco buffet provided by Ranch Camp. Participants and volunteers mixed and mingled, sharing their experiences from the first session of the weekend. It was the perfect kickoff to Elevate!
Saturday offered more sessions to hone our skills, explore the beautiful network of Kingdom Trails, and shuttle the DH Trails at Burke Mountain. In the evening, attendees enjoyed a happy hour from Lawson’s followed by an inspiring film night featuring Alex Showerman’s Coming Home and Gretchen Power’s Able. We then heard from Alex, Gretchen, and Kelly from the Kelly Brush Foundation about their experiences overcoming barriers and how they got to where they are today. The room was captivated by the films and panelists, leaving everyone with a sense of pride and motivation to overcome their personal barriers.
Sunday, our final day, included one more session with rides, clinics, and discussion workshops. We capped the weekend with a big raffle featuring prizes from Ursa Major, Wild Rye, Burke Mountain, Cabot, Loam Pass, and Gnarly Nutrition. With exhausted legs, new friends, and a weekend filled with good vibes and memories, we wrapped up our second year of Elevate with high-fives and cheers.
“This was a fantastic event and I’m grateful for the organizers and volunteers. The venue was perfect. I look forward to next year and also hope to volunteer. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”- Elevate Participant
A huge thank you to all our partners for making this weekend happen, to the incredible and hardworking volunteers who provided unending stoke and support, and to VMBA, NEMBA, and KT for bringing us all together for this empowering weekend. Stay tuned for next year’s festival!